Slime Rancher is a farm life simulation video game created and published by Monomi Park, an American independent game studio. The game was first released as an early access version in January 2016. It officially launched on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Xbox One on August 1, 2017. A PlayStation 4 version was released on August 21, 2018, and a Nintendo Switch version was released on August 11, 2021. A downloadable content pack called "Secret Style Pack" was released on June 18, 2019, adding new cosmetic options. A sequel, Slime Rancher 2, was released as an early access version on September 22, 2022, for Windows and Xbox Series X/S, and officially launched on September 23, 2025. A feature film adaptation of the game is currently being developed.
Gameplay
The game is played in an open world from a first-person perspective. The player controls a character named Beatrix LeBeau, a rancher who moves to a planet called the Far Far Range to live as a "slime rancher." This involves building a ranch, exploring the world, and collecting, raising, feeding, and breeding slimes. Slimes are gelatinous living organisms of different sizes and traits. The player uses notes left by the previous ranch owner to help complete tasks and progress through the game.
The main way to earn money in the game is by feeding slimes specific food items—fruit, veggie, or meat—to make them produce "plorts." Plorts can be sold for Newbucks, which are used to buy upgrades for the rancher’s equipment or farm buildings. Most slimes only eat one type of food, and each slime has a favorite food. Feeding a slime its favorite food doubles the number of plorts it produces. The player moves through different environments, using a tool called a "Vacpack" (a word made by combining "vacuum" and "backpack") to collect slimes, food, and plorts. The Vacpack can only hold a limited number of items at a time, and the player must empty it before collecting more. The player must also buy and upgrade enclosures for slimes and storage areas for food. Upgrades can also improve the appearance of the rancher’s home, Vacpack, and ranch.
Some slimes can be combined by feeding one slime a plort from another slime species. This creates larger slimes called "Largos," which have traits from both original slimes and produce two plorts when fed—one from each original slime. Largos also share the favorite food of both slimes. However, if a Largo eats a plort that is not from its original slime species, it turns into an aggressive black slime called a "Tarr." Tarrs can harm the player and turn nearby slimes into Tarrs. Players can use water from ponds or springs to splash and destroy Tarrs.
The game includes many slime types, each with different traits. Some slimes have simple features like ears, colors, or tails, while others can teleport or grab items using vines. Slimes are categorized as docile, harmful, non-farmable, or feral. Some slimes have a "Gordo" version, which are very large and cannot move. Players can shoot food at Gordo slimes until they explode, leaving behind normal slimes and crates with random items. These crates may contain a teleporter or a "slime key," which help players access new areas or shortcuts.
Development
The development of Slime Rancher began in Popovich's apartment. Popovich was an artist and designer, not a programmer, so he used code written by others to create an early version of the game. He later asked Mike Thomas, the technical director, to help with programming. Popovich and Thomas worked on the game for eight hours each day. This was a practice Popovich used with employees of Monomi Park to avoid crunch.
The game was originally planned to enter early access after one year. However, it was delayed by six months.
Reception
The Early Access version of Slime Rancher received mostly positive reviews. Heather Alexandra from Kotaku noted some issues, but she still gave the game a positive review. She said, "I'm not usually a fan of games with catharsis, but when I return to my bright and goofy farm at the end of the day, I can't help but smile as wide as my slimy little friends." Steve Neilsen from Games Mojo gave the game 4.5 out of 5 stars. He described it as a fun and addictive game with a fun idea, cute creatures, and cartoon-style graphics that look great. He also said the gameplay is clever and full of cute details.
When the full version of the game was released, it received generally favorable reviews according to Metacritic. Reviewers said the game could keep players engaged for long periods of time. They also described it as relaxing and cathartic, though some noted it could be repetitive. They added that the game successfully captures the addictive qualities of farming simulators.
By May 2017, the game had sold over 800,000 copies. By February 28, 2019, it had sold 2 million copies. By January 13, 2022, it had sold over 5 million copies.
In Game Informer's Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards, Slime Rancher tied for third place with Forza Motorsport 7 for "Best Microsoft Game." It also placed second for "Best Simulation Game." The website also awarded it the "Best Simulation Game" title in their Best of 2017 Awards.
Film adaptation
In August 2023, Deadline reported that a movie based on the video game was being developed by Dmitri M. Johnson and Mike Goldberg's Story Kitchen.